Fixture for use in drilling and marking bowling balls



Dec. 10, 1968 K. K. SCHROEDER, JR

FIXTURE FOR USE IN DRILLING AND MARKING BOWLING BALLS Filed April 4. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 b 0 D 6 0 6 8 4 m m 9 5 Gum l \MJJZ ,0 m @mMJTI b 6 I 8 n m f w m w 1| 4/ W q W n 2 M \w o 0 o 1- 5 5 4%M 3 u a /l.\. g [1. w M 0 1 r 4A wf u u 4 4 2 5 h 6 2 M- I l J z a \,J a 0 m w m 2 INVE/WUR.

KENNETH K. .SCHROEDER, JR.

BY EH. 5-

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 klL QQQQN K- K. SCHROEDER, JR

FIXTURE FOR USE IN DRILLING AND MARKING BOWLING BALLS mm M/ E wwemm N. K a

m% 3% A L mQ wk mQ QQ Dec. 10, 1968 Filed April 1968 K. K. SCHROEDER, JR 3,415,146

FIXTURE FOR USE IN DRILLING AND MARKING BOWLING BALLS Filed April 4. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. KENNETH KSCHROEDERJR.

United States Patent 3,415,146 FIXTURE FOR USE IN DRILLING AND MARKING BOWLING BALLS Kenneth K. Schroeder, In, Wilson Court, Rte. 2, Box 550, Zion, Ill. 60099 Filed Apr. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 539,995 13 Claims. (Cl. 77-62) ABSTRACT QF THE DISCLOSURE A portable bowling ball clamping fixture for use in drilling and marking bowling balls and including adjustable drill guide means and measuring apparatus to facilitate accurate and rapid drilling of thumb and finger holes, and fixture-carried marking guide means operable in conjunction with engraving apparatus to provide permanent lettering in the surface of the bowling ball.

This invention relates to a fixture or device for facilitating the drilling of finger holes in a bowling ball. More particularly, the invention is directed to a work holder for ensuring and expediting the accurate angling, spacing, and drilling of the finger grip holes in bowling balls. The present invention is also directed to a new apparatus and technique providing a high degree of accuracy and precision in the relative positioning of the several finger holes.

The invention also relates to a bowling ball holding device which, in combination with auxiliary engraving or marking apparatus, provides an improved method for marking letters and numbers into the surface of the bowling ball.

Bowling balls of the type in which the present invention finds utility are ordinarily machined to provide two or three grip holes, these holes extending in relatively closely spaced relation generally radially of the center of the ball. In actual practice, the holes are angled with respect to a radial axis through the center of the ball and the hole center at the surface of the ball to provide undercuts correlated with the size of the hand and the shapes and sizes of the fingers of the intended user.

Many difierent types of machines and jigs and varied techniques have been used in the prior art in the drilling of finger holes in bowling balls. One such technique calls for mounting the ball on a supporting device, marking the hole centers on the surface of the ball, and then drilling the holes, using a separate drill press. In this general method, the positioning of and the spans between the holes are determined by laying out the centers of the holes on the curved surface of the ball using a rule and a pair of dividers. The prior art apparatus and techniques include systems in which the ball is held fixed and the drill press moved, as well as systems in which the drilling mechanism is maintained fixed while the ball is moved. In each of these general systems the center of the hole to be drilled is located, by eye, under the point or center of the drill. In order to obtain the desired pitch or angularity between the axis of the hole and a radius passing through the hole center at the surface of the ball, either the ball or the clamping fixture which supports the drill is moved to the right or left or forward or backward so that the center of the ball is shifted from the axis of the drill bit. Finally the ball is positioned so that the center of the hole is realigned under the center of the drill. In this finally located position of the realtive parts, the hole is drilled. Due to difiiculty in maintaining the drill at a proper angle under such conditions, the holes are frequently drilled with errors in spacing and with improper under-cut. In addition, there are inaccuracies in the spans between the holes. Generally, the method is comparatively slow and tedious. It is, therefore, the aim of the present invention to obviate the above 3,415,146 Patented Dec. 10, 1968 described inadequacies and shortcomings of prior art apparatus and techniques in the drilling of finger holes in bowling balls.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method for simply and accurately drilling the finger holes in a bowling ball in accurately spaced relation and with properly directed angles to meet predetermined measurements.

It is a related object of the invention to provide a portable ball-clamping fixture which includes the combination of clamping means to hold the ball in fixed position, and universally adjustable drill guide means to control both the position and the angle of the cutter element used in drilling finger holes in the bowling ball.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable apparatus including improved angularly and pivotally adjustable structures and cooperating scale means for quickly and accurately setting the position of a drill guide sleeve for a reciprocating rotary cutter with respect to a reference point on the surface of a bowling ball, whereby upon actuation of the cutter a finger hole is drilled in the exact location required and at the specific angle selected to provide a work product of improved precision.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable apparatus useful in the drilling of finger holes in a bowling ball and utilizing an improved technique whereby the need for marking the hole centers on the surface of the ball is eliminated together with time consuming hit or miss adjustments.

A related object of the invention is to provide, in combination with the ball holding fixture of the invention, an improved apparatus and method for locating on the surface of a bowling ball to be drilled the exact center of the hole with respect to the center of a previously drilled hole, thereby to ensure accurate spacing between respective finger holes in the bowling ball.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a portable device for use in the drilling of finger holes in a bowling ball, which device holds the ball fixedly clamped in position during the drilling of finger holes at predetermined relative positions and at predetermined calculated radial angles, all finger holes being drilled while the ball is held in the original fixed position.

A related object of the invention is to provide a ballholding fixture including guide means for use during lettering and marking of a bowling ball.

Additional objects and aims of the invention include the following:

To provide a bowling ball holding fixture which includes an arcuate rack-like guide bar bridging a ball cradled in the fixture and including guide slots adapted to receive and direct selectable ball markings slugs for impressing letters and numbers into the surface of the ball; to provide a bowling ball holding fixture which includes means for holding a lettering guide and means for supporting a lettering guide follower for use in combination with an engraving apparatus to provide permanent markings in the surface of the bowling ball; to provide in a bowling ball clamping fixture a universally positionable and adjustable drill guide assembly and accurate scale means whereby the drill guide assembly may be precisely oriented with respect to a ball held in the fixture so that finger holes may be drilled in the ball at exact predetermined spacings and angles.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus supporting a bowling ball as during drilling and marking thereof, and illustrating means for locating successive holes to be drilled, in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the toggle type clamp which holds the bowling ball fixed in the fixture of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 and showing the structure of one of the slide bar holding clamps;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3 and showing the structure of the side pitch control clamp;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3 and showing the structure of the forward and rearward pitch control clamp, and the drill guide assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic representation of the guide rod and flexible scale used in locating, on the surface of a ball, the center of a finger hole to be drilled;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view of a sliding plug used in combination with the guide rod and scale of the invention to locate a radial center of a finger hole to be drilled;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the modes of measurement preparatory to drilling of finger holes in the bowling ball;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the apparatus and illustrating schematically the ball marking assembly in position of use;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10 and illustrating one manner of fastening a letter guide onto the cross-bar of the yoke of the bowling ball holding device;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 10 and illustrating the swivel mount of the stylus and engraving assembly used in engraving the bowling ball;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 1313 of FIGURE 10 and illustrating the drilling assembly used in engraving letters into the surface of the bowling ball;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 11 but showing an alternative means for fastening a lettering guide onto the ball holding fixture of the invention; and

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a lettering slug used in marking the bowling ball.

For purposes of disclosure, the invention is shown and i described with reference to a preferred embodiment. It is apparent, however, that the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions and it is intended, therefore, that the invention cover all such modifications and alternative constructions falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same parts throughout the various views, FIGURE 1 shows a fixture 2t which is a ball holding and supporting device fabricated in accordance with the principles of the invention. The supporting structure for the bowling ball 24 includes, in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, a base 28 which includes a horizontal platform, floor, or table 32 supported on laterally spaced parallel walls 34 and 36. Secured to the base 28 and extending upwardly therefrom at opposed sides thereof are integrally formed upwardly extending standards and 42, the floor, walls, and standards being conveniently fabricated as a unitary casting.

The floor or floor plate 32 is formed with an opening 46 which is preferably circular in perip ieral contour, the opening having a diameter less than the diameter of the bowling ball 24 whereby the ball may be supported on the base 28 during the drilling and marking operations. The opening 46 defines a seating ring 48 which is provided with a gasket 50 of rubber, plastic, or an equivalent material having suitable resilient properties and constituting a liner to obviate scratching or otherwise marring the surface of the ball.

A toggle type clamping assembly 54 is fastened on a rear wall 55 of the base 28 and is operable to hold the bowling ball 24 in stressing engagement against the seating ring 48, as shown in FIGURE 1. The clamping assembly 54 includes a pair of side brackets 69 provided with a horizontally extending interconnecting pin 62 which pivotally supports a handle 66 so that the handle is movable in a vertical plane.

A ball-engaging arm 70 pivotally supported on the brackets through a pin 72, nd connected to the handle 66 by means of links 76 and pins '73 and 80, completes the assembly so that upon moving the handle 66 downwardly, the arm '70 is brought into stressing engagement against the top surface of the bowling ball 24 to hold the ball firmly fixed and seated in the ring 48. A sleeve 84 of rubber, plastic, or the like covers the ball-engaging portion of the clamping arm to prevent damage to the ball.

A yoke is pivotally mounted on a pair of trunnions or pivot pins 94a and 945 which are received in corresponding bearings and in the standards 40 and 42. In the form of the invention illustrated, the yoke comprises a pair of parallel arms 164a and 1041; joined at corresponding ends by a horizontally extending cross-bar 106. At their free ends, the arms 104a and 1104b are pivotally supported on the trunnions 94a and 94b. Locking nuts 108a and 108b threadedly engaged on opposed trunnions 94a and 94b and actuated through respective hand wheels 116a and 11Gb abut washers 120a and 12011 which in turn stress against the arms 194a and 1%!) of the yoke for locking the yoke in any selectable position.

An arcuate rack-like bar 126, rotatably journalled on shaft extentions 128a and 12% of the trunnions 94a and 94b, and bridging the ball 24, is also pivotal through selectable lateral planes. Spaced radially extending ribs 134 define slots 136 disposed in a fan-like array and formed in a planar surface 138 of the bar 126 are directed generally toward the center of the bowling ball. The slots are adapted to receive selectable slugs 142 (FIGURE 15) each carrying a letter or symbol which may be impressed into the surface of the bowling ball by striking the outer end of the slug.

Mounted on the cross-bar 1&6 of the yoke )0 for lateral sliding movement therealong is a slotted slide bar provided with a laterally extending slot 152 and fastened to the supporting cross-bar 106 by means of bolts 156a and 156b and cooperating clamping nuts 160a and 160b, as shown in FIGURES l, 2, 4 and 6.

Supported on the slide bar 150 and manipulable for universal adjustment with respect to the bowling ball supported on the base 28 is a drill guide bushing 162. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated the bushing 162 seats in a sleeve or adapter 164 carried by a generally laterally extending flange 166 and held in place by a pin 168. The flange 166 is part of an L-shaped bracket 176 a vertically extending leg 172 of which is fastened to a flange 174 of a second bracket 176 by means of a bolt 178 and a cooperating clamping nut 182. A transversely extending flange 186 of the bracket 176 is fastened in turn to the slide bar 150 by means of a bolt 190 and a locking not 192, the bolts 178 and 190 extending through corresponding arcuate slots 1% and 198 in flange 1'74 and slide bar 150 whereby the drill guide bushing 162 is movable in two mutually perpendicular generally vertically extending planes providing universal adjustment and manipulation. Forward and reverse pitch are provided by pivotal movement of the L-shaped bracket While side pitch adjustment is achieved through shifting of the bracket 176, on respective pivot pins 200 and 202, the degree of pitch adjustment being controllable and measurable by means of scales 206 and 210 and respective pointers 214 and 218, as best seen in FIGURE 3. An additional scale 222 and a cooperating pointer 224 are provided on the slide bar and the cross-bar to facilitate exact lateral placement of the slide-bar-supported drill guide bushing 162.

As clearly seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, the forwardly facing surface 230 of the standard 42 is arcuate in contour and is provided with a scale or scale plate 234. The arcuate curvature of the standard 42 corresponds to the curvature of a standard bowling ball. Thus, the scale 234 may conveniently be used as a reference in laying out markings on the surface of the ball. This may be done through the use of a pair of dividers to effect direct measurements not otherwise feasible. Using this technique it is possible, if desired, to make all span drilling measurements directly on the ball surface. The bridge measure ments would be made utilizing the technique described with reference to the machine of the invention.

The apparatus of the invention is extremely versatile, and with a sketch or other data for determining the relative spacing and the undercutting angles for drilling the finger holes in the ball before him the operator may conveniently rely entirely upon the several scales and pointers of the apparatus to ensure that his completed work product will conform exactly to the specifications set. It is an important feature of the invention, however, that there is provided an auxiliary measuring assembly, illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 and depicted in use in FIG- URE 1. The assembly, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, comprises a band, tape, or scale 250, which may conveniently constitute a flexible steel tape, a plug, key or boss 254 which is slidable along and lockable at any predetermined position on the scale 250, and a guide rod or guide bar 258. A slot 262 extending laterally into the plug 254 transversely of its longitudinal axis is sized to receive the scale 250 snugly therewithin in sliding engagement, and a threaded fingerscrew 264 extends axially inwardly into a mating threaded bore 266 disposed transversely of the slot 262 and communicating therewith. Through this arrangement, turning of the screw 264 to advance it into the bore 266 brings the end of the screw into stressing engagement with the scale 250, to lock the plug 254 on the scale 250. As clearly illustrated in FIG- URE 7, coupling means are provided at respective ends of the scale 250 and the guide rod 258, these means comprising, in the form of the invention illustrated, an axially extending pin 270 at the end of the guide rod and a cooperating opening 272 in the scale 250. The guide rod itself is cylindrical and of a diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the drill guide bushing 162. The assembly as described comprises a most convenient means for locating the center of a finger hole to be drilled at a precise predetermined distance from the edge or wall of a hole previously drilled, as will be more fully explained in the paragraphs below. While it is believed that the foregoing detailed description will render the use and operation of the apparatus clear to those skilled in the art, a typical procedure is described in the paragraphs below for the purpose of illustrative disclosure.

Referring now to FIGURE 9 there is shown a schematic diagram illustrating a typical set of drillers notes based upon a fitting previously carried out. A chart, not shown, may conveniently be used to convert the original data including the bridge width, the spans, and the finger sizes to the other measurements necessary in carrying out the drilling operations. The chart may also provide the correct pitch, both forward and rear pitch, and side pitch. In the particular example illustrated, the diameters of the finger holes are respectively A" and and the thumb size is 1", the edge to edge spans are respectively 3%" and 3%.", and the bridge is The thumb hole is to be drilled with A" forward pitch and /s side pitch (toward the little finger), the first finger hole is to be drilled with a forward pitch of /2" and a side pitch of Ms" (toward the little finger), and the second finger hole 6 is to be drilled with a forward pitch of and a side pitch of The following is a detailed procedure for drilling a conventional three-hole grip. The ball selected is placed in the seating ring 48 and firmly clamped in position by means of the clamp 54 provided. The manufacturers marked or heavy side of the ball should be on a lateral center line of the ball and in the front quadrant as viewed by the operator. All scafles should be set to 0 reference. The guide rod 258 is inserted through the drill guide bushing 162 and the yoke is pivoted and the slide bar 150 shifter to present the point of the rod 258 to the center point of the ball. The thumb hole is, in the example described, to be drilled with A" forward pitch and 4:" side pitch. In providing the forward pitch the forward and reverse pitch locking nut 182 is loosened and the pivotal scale 206 is shifted forwardly, that is, toward the operator, and then locked in place. To provide the side pitch, the side pitch swivel locking nut 192 is loosened and the bracket 176 is shifted counterclockwise about its shaft to angle the bore axis to the right as viewed by the operator. The clamping nut 192 is then locked to fix the selected position. Finally, the yoke 90 is pivoted on its laterally extending axis to position the drill guide bar 258 to point slightly below the ball insignia. The guide bar is removed from the drill guide bushing 162, the flanged bushing 162 itself being removed from the sleeve to permit insertion of the drill bit or cutter element (not shown). Upon replacing the bushing 162 in its sleeve 164, the 'hole is drilled into the ball to the predetermined required depth.

To drill the first finger hole (the left hole as viewed in FIGURE 9) the slide bar 150 is shifted laterally to the left bridge width or Then the two pitches, that is the forward pitch /2" and the side pitch of Ms" are set through the adjustment previously described. Using the novel tape 250 and sliding plug or boss 254, the boss or plug 254 is set at a distance from the opening 272 in the tape to correspond with the distance from the edge of the thumb hole to the center of the hole for the first I finger. The guide rod 258 is then inserted through the drill guide bushing 162 and the pin or key 270 at the end of the guide rod is coupled into the opening 272 at the end of the scale 250. Then the yoke is pivoted to bring the plug 254 into position for insertion axially into the thumb hole with the lateral wall of the plug firmly engaged against the wall of the thumb hole in a direction toward the finger hole. In this position the yoke is locked using hand wheels 116 and the scale is removed. The finger hole is drilled to the predetermined depth (about 2 /2"), as previously described.

To drill the second finger hole (the right hole as viewed in FIGURE 9), the slide bar 150 is shifted laterally to the right beyond the reference or center point, that distance representing half the bridge plus /2'the diameter of the finger hole. The forward pitch (towards the thumb) is set at 4 by moving the pivotal forward and reverse pitch scale 206 rearwardly with reference to the fixed mark or pointer 214 on the casting. The side pitch of /s" (toward little finger) is set by moving the pivotal L bar 1'76 counterclockwise and locking at the indicated position. The scale and plug assembly is then set to 3 and used as previously described to set the position of the yoke and the drill guide bushing 162 carried thereby. Finally the finger hole is drilled to the required depth (about 2 /2). A beveling tool or tapered grinder may be used to machine the entrance to each of the finger holes. The electric drill and the drilling tool or cutter (not shown) form no part of the present invention, and in carrying out the hole drilling operation any portable electric drill may be used.

The portable fixture of the invention is provided, as previously described, with an arcuate rack like bar 126 supported on stub shaft 128a and 12812 and frictionally engaging the shafts whereby the bar is selectively positionable about the shafts in any preferred laterally extending plane. The slots 136 in the surface 138 of the bar 126 are bounded by equally spaced parallel side walls and are adapted to receive and to guide therewithin selectable lettering slugs 142 whereby the outer surface of the bowling ball may be marked with letters or numbers by positioning successive slugs in the radial slots 136 and striking the upwardly extending ends of the slugs to impress symbols into the ball surface, these symbols being carried on the ball-contactin end of the slug.

In addition to the slug marking technique described above, the bowling ball, may, in accordance with the practice of the present invention, be tooled or engraved to form any numbers, letters, name or legend in the ball surface. The preferred technique by means of which this engraving is carried out is described briefly below with reference to FIGURES 10 through 14. Referring now to FIGURE 10, the yoke 90 is illustrated in a position assumed upon pivoting the yoke forwardly and down so that the under surface 280 of the cross-bar 186 lies substantially parallel to a plane defined by the ball holding ring 48. A dove tailed or otherwise keyed elongated recess or slot 284 (FIGURE 11) formed inwardly of the surface 280 is adapted to receive and to hold in locked engagement slot-mating plates or bars 286 each of which carries a letter 29f) defined by grooves extending downwardly into the plate, the letters constituting lettering guides to be used in engraving corresponding letters 296 into the surface of the bowling ball, as illustrated schematically in FIGURE 10. The letters 290 locked in the cooperating slot 234 are secured against lateral displacement by means of locking plates 300a and 300k fastened to the cross-bar 106 with screws or bolts 394, although any suitable locking technique may be used. A modified letter holding assembly comprising keyed strips 306a and 3tl6b is shown in FIGURE 14, the strips being fastened to the yoke crossbar 106 by bolts 308.

A universally manipulable or swivel support assembly 310 which serves as a guide and control for an engraving assembly or tool 314 and its associated linkage 318 is fastened to the fixture, preferably adjacent a lateral end 329 of the cross-bar 1% as shown in FIGURE 10. Any suitable universal connector may be used, and in the preferred form of the invention illustrated the swivel assembly comprises a ball and socket including a ball 324 supported on a stub bolt 326 threadedly fastened into the crossbar 106, as shown in FIGURE 12. The ball 324 is locked against axial displacement in a cooperating socket 33 formed in a ballsurmounting plug 332. A horizontally extending passage or through slot 336 formed in the plug 332 slideably receives a guide bar or rod 340 to which is connected a transversely extending probe or lettering guide follower 342 and an engraving assembly 314. In the particular physical embodiment of the invention illustrated, a rod 346, which may be integrally formed with the guide rod 340, provides the physical connection between the engraving assembly 314 and the pivotally supported manipulable guide rod 340.

The engraving assembly 314, as best seen in FIGURE 13, includes an electric drill or a motor and chuck combination 350, and a drill bit or milling tool 354, the latter being fastened in a clamping chuck 356 in the conventional manner. The motor or the drill proper is conveniently supported in a clamp 369, the clamp itself being firmly connected to the rod 346 to complete the entire ball-engraving mechanism. In order to limit the depth to which the drill 354 will penetrate, there is provided a stop or guard 362 which has a ball-contacting surface 364 displaced axially inwardly of the end 366 of the drill bit 354 distance corresponding to the desired engraving depth. The stop 362 may be attached to the engraving assembly in any preferred manner, and in the structure illustrated, the guard or stop is fastened to the drill clamp 360 by means of a bolt 368.

In the novel bowling ball marking arrangement described above, as the guide-rod-carried probe 342 follows a given symbol or letter 2% fastened on the ball-holding device of the invention the drill bit or engraving tool 354 traverses a corresponding path on the surface of the ball 24 to engrave into the surface of the ball a letter 2% corresponding to the letter followed. The pivotal action of the swivel ball 324 and the concurrent sliding action of the guide rod 34b in the guide slot 336 cooperate at the point of engraving so that the guide letters 290 must be canted clockwise in order to obtain erect engraved lettering. The curved surface of the bowling ball causes a slight rounding of the line of letters, but this is not objectionable. A symmetrically placed bilateral scale 370 facilitates centering of the caption on the ball.

In the light of the foregoing disclosure, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made in the overall assembly of the invention and in any particular structural feature forming a part of the assembly. It will be understood that such changes in the details of construction, arrangement, and operation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable device for firmly supporting and holding a bowling ball during drilling of a finger hole in said ball, and during marking of said ball, said device comprising:

a base including a horizontal floor plate and opposed standards extending transversely thereof, said base defining a support for a bowling ball to be cradled thereon,

said fioor plate of said base having a ball-receiving opening sized to preclude passage of a bowling ball therethrough and adapted for seating of a bowling ball therein,

a pair of coaxial horizontally extending trunnions mounted in said base on said opposed standards thereof.

a yoke pivotally mounted and supported on said trunnions to bridge said floor opening and a ball seated in said floor plate,

said yoke comprising a pair of opposed ganged arms extending generally parallel to said standards and journalled at respective sides of said base to pivot on said trunnions in laterally spaced generally vertical planes, and

a straight, horizontally extending cross-bar connecting corresponding free ends of said arms for pivotal movement of said cross-bar over said ball supported on said base,

said yoke being arcuately pivotally adjustable to swing through laterally extending planes about a horizontal axis defined by said trunnions and being releasably lockable in selectable positions,

ball clamping means carried on said base and adapted to stressingly engage said ball and to releasably urge said ball to seat firmly in said opening of said floor plate during drilling of said hole in said ball,

a cutter element guide bushing carried by said yoke and defining a bore directed toward the surface of said ball, said bushing adapted to receive a rotary cutter element axially therewithin for reciprocal movement therethrough during drilling of said ball,

universally adjustable bushing-support means carried by said yoke for mounting said bushing thereon to render said bushing adjustable to selectable fixed angular positions with respect to a radial line through the center of a ball seated in said opening in said floor plate,

means for releasably locking said bushing-support means in any said selectable angular positions, and

means for shifting said bushing-support means along said yoke and for releasably locking said bushingsupport means at selectable lateral positions of said yoke.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said opening in said floor plate is round in horizontal contour, a peripheral edge of said opening defining a ball-cradling ring constitutin-g a seat for said ball in which seat said ball is firmly and fixedly held during drilling operations performed on said ball.

3. A portable device for firmly supporting and holding a bowling ball during marking and drilling of a finger hole in said ball, said device comprising:

a base including a horizontal floor plate and opposed standards extending transversely thereof, said base defining a support for a bowling ball to be cradled thereon,

said floor plate of said base having a ball-receiving opening sized to preclude passage of a bowling ball therethrough and adapted for seating of a bowling ball therein,

a pair of coaxial horizontally extending trunnions mounted in said base on said opposed standards thereof,

a yoke pivotally mounted and supported on said trunnions to bridge said floor opening and a ball seated in said floor plate,

said yoke being areuately pivotally adjustable to swing through laterally extending planes about a horizontal axis defined by said trunnions and being releasably lockable in selectable positions,

ball clamping means carried on said base and adapted to stressingly engage said ball and to releasably urge said ball to seat firmly in said opening of said floor plate during drilling of said hole in said ball,

a cutter element guide bushing carried by said yoke and defining a bore directed toward the surface of said ball, said bushing adapted to receive a rotary cutter element axially therewithin for reciprocal movement therethrough during drilling of said ball,

universally adjustable bushing-support means carried by said yoke for mounting said bushing thereon to render said bushing adjustable to selectable fixed angular positions with respect to a radial line through the center of a ball seated in said opening in said floor plate,

means for releasably locking said bushing-support means in any said selectable angular positions,

means for shifting said bushing-support means along said yoke and for releasably locking said bushingsupport means at selective lateral positions of said yoke,

an arcuate rack-like bar pivotally mounted on said standards coaxially with said yoke to bridge a ball seated in said floor plate,

a plurality of regularly spaced guide slots formed in a planar surface of said bar, said planar surface being disposed to intersect said ball seated in said ring,

said slots arranged in a fan-like array and directed generally radially toward the center of said ball,

each of said slots adapted to receive therein any of a group of selectable slugs to present a ball-marking end of any said slugs to the outer surface of said ball,

a raised symbol carried by each said slugs on a ball contacting said end thereof;

whereby upon striking an end of said slug opposed said ball contacting end thereof said symbol carried by said slug is physically impressed into said surface of said ball to provide a permanent identification mark thereon.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising in combination therewith lettering guide means mounted on said yoke on said horizontally extending cross-bar thereof and selectively pivotable into position with respect to said ball receiving opening has been herein substituted for use in defining letters and symbols to be machined into the outer surface of a ball,

means for mounting said lettering guide means on said yoke,

lettering guide follower means mounted for limited universal movement on said yoke and adapted to guide upon and faithfully follow guide letters carried on said cross-bar and manipulable ball-engraving means opcratively linked to said lettering guide follower and positionable above said ball receiving opening for forming letters in the surface of the bowling ball.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4 and further comprising linkage means interconnecting said engraving means and said letter follower means to preclude relative movement therebetween, and to direct said engraving means to execute a path controlled by said letter guide follower means and defined by said lettering guide means,

universal swivel support means mounted on said devlce,

guide rod means slidably connected at one end to said swivel support rneans and at the other end to said linkage means to provide a degree of restraint in movement of said engraving means during manipulation and operation thereof,

whereby during actuation thereof said engraving means produces on the surface of said ball a symbol corresponding to a symbol followed by said letter follower means on said lettering guide means.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a precisely adjustable and lockable drill guide assembly for accurately locating the exact radial center of a second hole to be drilled into said ball at a calculated predetermined distance from a first hole in said ball, said assembly comprising:

a plug sized for insertion axially into said first hole in said ball to engage laterally against a side wall of said first hole,

an elongated scale adapted to conform to the surface contour of said ball to be drilled,

means for slidably coupling said plug with said scale whereby said plug is selectively positionable along said scale,

means for releasably locking said plug on said scale at selectable predetermined positions therealong,

a guide rod sized for positioning axially through said guide bushing carried by said yoke to abut laterally a side wall of said bushing facing said side wall of said first hole,

guide rod coupling means carried by said scale at a reference position thereof,

cooperating coupling means at one end of said guide rod for releasably engaging said coupling means carried by said scale,

whereby upon locking said plug on said scale at a caloulated said predetermined position, and upon inserting said plug into said first hole and against said side wall thereof and inserting said guide rod through said guide bushing and against said side walls thereof, and locking said guide bushing at a position in which said guide rod couples with said scale,

said guide bushing is automatically correctly spaced from said first hole center and is in proper position for receiving said rotary cutter therethrough for drilling said second hole in said ball.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said bushing defines a lengthwise extending cavity dimensioned to have a cross section corresponding substantially to the cross section of said guide rod slidably to receive said guide rod therein.

8. The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plug has a transverse slot therein extending in a plane generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said plug and wherein said scale is a flexible band having a longitudinally extending side edge slidably engaged in said slot for relative selective positioning of said plug longitudinally along said scale.

9. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said letters and symbols of said lettering guide means are canted relative to a vertical plane passing transversely through said horizontal axis about which said yoke is pivotal.

10. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said ball'engraving means comprises an electric motor and a drill bit carried thereby, and further comprises a guard element carried by said engraving means and including stop means effective to limit the depth of axial insertion of said drill bit inwardly into said ball during engraving thereof.

11. The device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said guard element comprises an arm supported axially outwardly of said drill and having an opening therethrough and in axial alignment with said drill bit, and locking means selectively adjustable to vary the relative axial positioning of said bit with respect to said opening;

whereby a free end of said bit may be positioned and locked to protrude through said opening for a distance corresponding substantially to the depth to which said ball is to be drilled during engraving thereof. 12. In the drilling of grip-hold holes in a bowling ball held in a fixture, the method of ensuring accurate spacing of a finger hole in said ball, with respect to a first hole previously drilled therein, said method comprising:

providing a drill guide assembly including a slotted plug, a scale adapted for lateral positioning within and for slidable engagement within a slot of said plug, means for locking said plug on said scale at selectable positions therealong, a guide rod, and coupling means for interconnecting said guide rod with said scale; locking said plug onto said scale at a predetermined setting therealong correlated with a distance between said first hole and a hole to be drilled in said ball,

inserting said plug axially into said previously drilled first hole,

inserting said guide rod axially through a drill guide bushing supported on a pivotal member carried by said fixture,

shifting said member-carried bushing and said guide rod extending therethrough to bring a side wall of said plug into lateral abutment with a cooperating Wall of said first hole facing a finger hole to be 12 drilled in said ball and to bring a ball-directed end of said rod into coupling engagement with said scale at a reference position thereof,

locking said pivotal member and said bushing carried thereby in position,

removing said guide rod from said bushing and substituting a hole-boring element therefor, and

boring a finger hole in said ball at a predetermined drill-guide-defined distance from said first hole. 13. The method of machining letters, numbers, and. symbols into the surface of a bowling ball for identification and decoration thereof, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said ball in a ball-holding fixture, coupling a manipulable ball-engraving assembly to said fixture for universal movement therebetween,

directing a stylus carried by said assembly to trace selectable letters, numbers, and symbols mounted on said fixture and comprising lettering guide means for said stylus, linking ball-engraving means to said stylus to preclude independent relative movement therebetween, and

operatively contacting an engraving tool of said ballengraving means against the surface of said ball as said stylus traces said lettering guide means to machine into said surface of said ball letters, numbers, and symbols corresponding to those traced on said lettering guide means by said stylus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,088,290 7/1937 Collier 33174 3,002,447 10/1961 Haugh 1014 3,095,767 7/1963 Jesonis 77-62 3,263,531 8/1966 Samrnons et a1. 7762 3,282,200 11/1966 B randell 101-4 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,056,103 10/1953 France.

FRANCIS S. HUSAR, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,415,146 December 10, 1968 Kenneth K. Schroeder, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

after "left" insert the Column a selectable lines Column 10,

Column 6, line 34, 9, line 46, "selective" should read 71 and 72, cancel "has been herein substituted".

line 4, before "and" insert a comma.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

